Technology has moved forward at an incredible pace, leading to a situation where we are able to gather enormous amounts of data about medical conditions. However, this increased capability is also limited by deficiencies in our ability and capacity to interpret such large volumes of complex data. To address this, researchers have developed mathematical approaches to help answer the questions that researchers pose.
Program Head, Professor Rodney Scott

The Information Based Medicine Program draws together approximately 30 researchers from the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and Calvary Mater Newcastle, who are affiliated with the University’s Priority Research Centre in Bioinformatics, Biomarker Discovery and Information-Based Medicine.

The collaboration integrates bioinformatics with current genomics, proteomics, biobanks and current cohort studies, such as the Hunter Community Study. Many researchers working with the Information Based Medicine Program are also members of other HMRI research programs, establishing synergies not available elsewhere in Australia.

HMRI is one of only two sites in Australia where bioinformatics is in practice. In the Hunter region, bioinformatics is being used to evaluate complex data in the areas of Cancer and Brain and Mental Health.